Electric switch



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D. N. THOMPSON. ELEcTR'lc'swlTcH. APPLICATION FILED IULY 25. 1918.

'Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

D. N. THOMPSON.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICAUON FILED Jun/'25. 1918.

Patented 0015.3, i922.'

2 SHEETS-*SHEET 2.

. Puteutetl @0.3. i922.

'ui au @rari y y eelt@ '.rncinrsou, or aiz'nlef'cusn, New Youn, assieuoie To nass a surmonte., me.,

or sentar, new rom-t, a oounona'riou on NEW nous;

Application tiled, July 55,

` To all! w hom. l? wi. concern Be it known that l, Don N. lnoiurson, ai citizen ofthe United States, and residing at Syracuse, Onondaga Gounty, vState ot llew York, have invented certain new and useful improvements inElectric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

l This invention relates to electric switches of the quickmalefand break typeA and itis .L0 especially' useful as a push hutton switch to he used in connection with electric lighting circuits..

The invention is illustrateflv in the accompanying drawings, in w 45 Figure l is a plan View bodying the ini-iention; y Figure 2 is central section on the line Z-Jl of Figure lparts being shown in sirle .f elevation g: 2o; .Figure 8' is a plan View of the switch shown iii- Figure l separated fromidthe hase anflehowing the circuit through the switch closed;

Figure 4 is a side View of the switch with the parte in the same relation as in Figure 3;

Figure is a Figure l; f Figures tl.. 7 and-,tl are peispectivev views 3G of parte of the switch mechanism;

'Figure 9 is a `sectional side View ot an* other former switch embodying the invention; 'v

Figure l0 is a plan View of the saine of a switch einsection on the'line 5--5 of looking upward from approximately tho line .v

lOl, of .Figure 9;

Figure 1l is a sectional View on the line l1--ll of Figure Figure 153 is a` plan View of a slightly clifferent type of switch embodying the inven.

tion; i n

Figure 13 'is sectional View on the line 13-13 of Figure 1Q;

.Figure 14- is a side View o the switch sliownin Figure 12;

` Figures l and 16 are details of the switches shown in Figures and l2 respcc tively.

Referring particularly to Figures l to 8 inclusi-ie, 2l) indicates an insulating hase of porcelain or otlicr'suitahle material, 2l the wire terminals. and 22 switch terminals which are to he connected electrically by means of the switch. The switch mechanism "omprises a rocking plate 23 which may .he :cf-:ined a.. switch plate and which carnes ima. 'serial no. aflefiie.

switch arms 2l 'adapted to cooperate with the switch terminals Eeneath the plate 23 a. centrally located with respect. to said plate is a fulcruni plate 25 which is maiutained in proper relation with the plate .E23 by reason of wings 2G which enter slots 2T. The fulcruin plate 25 has lugs 28 at its enfle which engage notches .39 on'the upturncd arms of the hase plate() to, preventthe switch plate from moving longitudinally heyonrl the proper hounds. The ulcrurn 'plate or 'oar 25 extends down :troni the switch plate at rigt angles thereto, as clearly shown in Q lauree 2 and 4, and this ulcrum plate always rests on the hase plate, theVV notches 29 being so deep that the lugs 28 do not rest on the bott-om thereof. Theswitcli plate is thrown from theposition shown in lligure Qua-to the position shown in Figure l, and Vice versa, bythe following means.

har BL carrying.;l push buttons also carries a spring operated plunger 33 which continuously presses on the switch plate 23. The plunger' isguicled in an opening in the har 31'and in anppening in a bracket 34 which is carried by the El in parallel relattiou thereto, as shown in Figures anfl 5. The plunger 33 has shoulders near its lower end and; it is continually pressed (lown against the switch plate by a spring 35 which is interposed between the bracket 34: and these shoulders. lt will loe seen that as the push buttons are moved one way or the other the plunger must move with them hroizonntally. ,if the buttonsancl the bar 31 are moved to' theright Afrom the position shown in Figure 2; the plunger will riale up on the switchv plate 23, compressing the spring which brings more and more pressure to hear on the switch plat-e until the plungerhas passed the vertical plane through the Contact between the 'fulcrum plate and the hase plate. litter passing this plane the plunger will tip the switch plate 23, :tor instance, from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure'fl andthe switch will close., as shown in Figure 4.. A reverse movement of the push buttons causes the reverse or opening movement ofairlie switch arms.

Y There is a tenclencyin the switch plate 23 to resist the rocking movement due to the. 'friction of the iulcrun'r plate 25 on the plate.-

llrhen this frictional Contact ceases toA hold the switch instant-ly rocks from one'ezztreine to the'other thus making or breaking conf tact quickly. The switch. always rests on the fulcrum plate and one edge of the switch plate, both of which' bear on the base plate, as shown in Figures 2 and l and hence it is perfeitly stable in either position. In throwing"r the switch from one. extreme to the other it remains in its initial position as heretofore described until the plunger passes the center ot' the switch plate 23 when the switch shifts with an instantaneous or snap action. The operation ot the switsh is superior to switches ot a somewhat similar type in which the switch plate swings on trunnious or pivots tor the reason that the trictional engagement ot the tulcrum plate 25 with the l'iase breaks suddenly and permits the switch to move from one extreme position to the other instantaneously. As illustrated in the drawings, the bar 31. connectinp; the' push buttons is ,e'uided by-pins 3G which are mounted in lugs 37 eitending upward on oppositl. sides ot the base plate 30. The spring 85 vontinuously presses thev bar 31 against the pins 36.

In Figures l), 10, 11 and 15, the switch operating device', substantially as heretofore described, is shown tor operatingr a switch of a slightly different type. Referringto these figures, 4;() indicates a switch plate for connecting the. terminals 41. This switch late is mounted on the end of the t'ulcrum ar 25.. ln order to insulate the plate 4.0 from the bar, it has connected to it a plate 42 of insulating material which is slotted centrally to receive the bar as shown in Figures 9 and 1.1. The base/plate 23 ot this switch is rocked by a spring plunger 33 in the manner above described when the push buttons 32 are operated. The switch arms 34. shown in Figures l to 5 are ot' course omitted in Figures 9 to 11 and are substituted by the switch member 40. ln other respects the switch shown in Figures 9 to 1l` does not ditt'er materially trom the switch shown in Figures 1 to Figure 1.1 shows a keyhole :openingA 29' in which the tulerum plate Q5 has a limited movement.

ln Figures 12, lil. 1"-'1 andI lo is shown another 'torni of' the invention in which a rocking plate 5() carries switch arms 51 which cooperate with circuit terminals 52.

ln this type ot' switch the tulcrufh plateY is substituted by a right angled or V section fulcrum 53 which is attached to the fulcruni plate by having' its edges -crimped over the same, as shown at 54. The rocking 'or switch plate 50 is ,e'uided in circular openings 55 in the side flanges ot a. base plate 56. The push buttons 57 are connected to a bar 58 which slides on this hase plate and thev switch platxef 50 is rocked by a spring tongue 59, whieiv is carried by the bar 5S,

theside arms of the spring' tongue 58 being coiled about lugs 60 on the push bar 58, the free ends of these wire arms being passed through lugs 61 on the bar as clearly shown in Figures LQl and 14. i

In operation the spring tongue 5f) travels with the push buttons and their connecting bar. When, l'or instance, the buttons .are moved yto the left troni the position shown in Figure 13, thel spring moves over thfi'inclined switch plate 51'), its tension increasing,r without movinp, the switch plate or switch arms until the contact point'ot the spring ap preaches the lett edge ot' the plaie 5). The

switch then immediately'y snaps over trein `oiiivolved hir this switch can be applied in various ways to different electrical devices and it is to' be understood that the several forms shown in the drawings are simply illustrative ot' some ot' these applications.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured bylietters Patent is:

l. In an electric switch, the combination with a stationary base plate, ot a switch plate, a '.tulcrum central] f arranged beneath the` switch plate and rigidly connected thereto, said fulcrum resting on the base plate, a spring operated device movable across the switch plate from one side ot said tulcrum to the other and vice versa, means tor restraining, bodily movement ot the switch plate along the baseplate. and a switch member connected to the switch plate,

2. In an electric switch, a switch operating device comprisinpr a stationary base plate, a switch plate adapted to rock with respect to the base plate, a` tulcrum plate rigidly connected with the switch plate and extendi ng at rig-ht angles thereto and arranged be`- tween the switch plate and `base plate. and spring means travelling' on thc switch plate adapted to rock the same. i

3. ln au electric switch, the combination l iwith a base plate, of a push bar movable parallel with the base plate, a switch plate arranged between the pushbar and the base plate, a fulcrum device centrally connected insegno the switch plate and resting,r on the base plate andrnovable relatively thereto, and a spring devlce movable over the switch plate to shift the same, the base plate serving,r to limit the movement of the switch plate in either direcI tion. W

arms, a switch plate between said arms, a fulcuum plate connected with, fthe switch' plate and having?r ,lugs engaging the' isaid notches, the vfulcruin plate resting en tlie base plate, and a spring device movable across the switch plate to rock the saine, the movement ot the switch plate being limited in both directions bycontact of its respec tive edges with the base plate.

6, 1n an electric switch,` the combination with a base plate having upturne'd notched arms, a switch plate between said arms, a fulcruin plate connected with .the switch plate having lugs engaging the said`notches, the fulcrum plate resting on the base plate, and a spring device movable across the switch plate to rock the saine, the movement of the switch plate beingF limited in both directions by contact of its respective edges with the base plat-e, and a pusli'bar arranged to move at right angles to the switch plate,

.said spring device being mounted inthe push bar.

7. ln an electric switch, the combination with a stationary member, of a switch plate spaced therefrom carrying contact points, means for pivotally supporting said switch plate at-its central portion from said stationary member including a fulcrum plate; secured in position across said switch plate and bearing at its opposite edge on the surface of said fixed member, a movable spring pressed member 'having a contact end bearing on said switch plate pressing it towards said xed member, and means for causing said spring pressed member to move along said switch plate from one' side of its pivot line of turning atA said fulcrum pla-te to the other to cause tilting in one direction or the other and consequent slight rictional sliding,r movement ot'. said :Fulcrum plate on said fixed member. y

8. In an elect-ric switch, the combination with a stationary member, of a switch plate 'spaced therefrom carrying contact points,

means for pivotally snpportingir said switch 'plate at its central portion from 'said stationary meinber'including a liulcrum plate secured in position across said switch. plate and bearing at its opposite edge on the surface of said fixed member, a movable spring pressed member having a vContact end bea-ring on said switch plate pressing it towards said viiied member, and means for causing said spring pressed member to inove along said switch. pla-te from oneside of its pivotv line of turning at said fulcrum plate to the other and consequent. slight frictional slidinginovement of said tulcrum plate von said V.iixed member, and'means 4tor so limiting the tilt-ing movement that the spring pressed pointv will `remain .in contact and may then ln an electric eiwit/ch, the combination, with a base plate having upturned notched'A be moved -reversely 'on it.

with a stationary member, of a" switch plate carrying contact points, means 'for maintaining they central portion of said switch plaie 1n a substantially fixed position in ref -erence toand a material distance from the stationary member while permitting its ends to tilt or turn with its central portion as the 9. ln an electric switch, the combination. l

pivot line including a tulcruin plate secured to said switch plate and' making contact with said fixed member in a plane at right angles to and ac'rossthe central portion of said switch plate, a movable operating member having secured thereto and vmovable therewith ay spr-ing,r pressed memberhaving a point bea-ring against" the surface of said switch. member on' the side opposite said stationary member, and means for Aso moving said operatingv memberas to cause said spring pressed point Ato pass' along said tion with a stationary base plate having' thereon a pair of upwardly extending;r marginal lugs near each end, cross pins con` necting each pair of lugs near their up er ends, a ,push bar longitudinally tweeinsaid lugs of each pair an adaptedto bear against the under surface of said pins, an upwardly extending bracket on saidpush bar between said pair or lugs having an opening vertically aligned with a holeV through said push bar, a plunger vertically -slidable iny said openings prqgvided with an .upwardly facing shoulder, a ,poil spring on said plunger bearing upwardly on said bracket and downwardly on said shoulder and a rocking switch plate between said push bar and base plate against the.upper surface of which said plunger bears,

l1. ln an electric' switch, the combination with a stationary base plate vhaving thereon al pair of upwardly extending marginal ings near each end, cross' pins connecting each pair of lugsnear their upper ends, a push bar longitudinally movable between said'lngs of each pair' andadapted to bear against the under surface el" said pins, an -u/pwardly extending bracket. on said push viso bar between lsaid pair of livigisihaving an *opening vertically aligned withv a hole A through said ush bar, a plunger vertically slidable in said openings provided with an acoil spring on dly on said a switch plate midway between said pairs of lugs and between said push4 4base on the upperA surface 'of which said plate and plunger bears, Contact arms extending up,-

sides of said push bar and a fulcruin sup# port for said switch plate resting on said base.

12, In an electric switch the combination with a stationary base plate, a switch plate extending along said base plate having upwardly extending centrally arranged con tact arms on .opposite sides, a fulcrum support interposed between said switchl plate and base plate in4 midway position, a longitudinally movable push bar above said switch plate between said arms and a spring pressed plunger carried by said push bar in midway position projecting at its end through said push bar' and pressing on l the upper surface 'of said switch plate.

"13. In an electric switch the combination with a' stationary base plate,'a switch plate extending along said base plate having uplower i upper surface of said switch plate, the vertiv cal distance between said switch plate and l' wardly from said switch plate on oppositetybase plate being such that the ends of the switch plate in tilting on the fulcrum support will make contact with the base plate and limit the tilting movement.

14. In an electric switch the combination with a stationary base plate, a switch plate extending-,along said base plate having upwardly extending centrally arranged contact arms' on opposite sides, a ulcrum support interposed between said switch plate and base plate in midway position, having only contact connection with said base plate and switch plate, a longitudinally movable push bar above said switch plate between said arms and a yielding plunger carried by said push plate pressing downward at its lower end on the upper surface of said switch plate,

In testimony whereof DUN N. TH() PSON.

I allx m f signature. 

